The 3D Mesh module is used to create and edit 3D finite element meshes. A 3D mesh consists of nodes, elements, and faces. A 3D mesh can be created from a 2D mesh, a 3D grid, 3D scatter points, or by using the automated meshing tools in GMS.

Once a mesh is constructed, the FEMWATER interface can be used to assign boundary conditions and analysis parameters and perform a FEMWATER analysis.

3D Element Types

Four types of 3D elements are supported by GMS: eight node hexahedra, six node prisms or wedges, four node tetrahedra, and five node pyramids. Hexahedra and wedges are created by projecting a 2D mesh. Tetrahedral elements are constructed with the Tessellate command or they can be created elsewhere and imported into GMS.